RELEASED:   Thursday, August 30, 2007

UW-Eau Claire Picked To Win Third Straight Women’s Soccer Crown

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the two-time defending conference champion, is expected to claim the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s soccer title, according to the league’s sports information directors.

UW-Eau Claire received six first-place votes in the preseason poll after winning the WIAC Tournament crown for the second straight season and advancing to the sectional semifinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament a year ago.  In 2006, the Blugolds established WIAC single-season records with 23 victories and 18 shutouts, while junior Allie Rivard set a league mark with an amazing 0.19 goals against average.

The Blugolds enter the 2007 campaign ranked No. 15 nationally in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division III preseason poll.  UW-Eau Claire’s 54-20-6 record in WIAC contests the past 10 seasons is the second-highest in the league.

UW-Oshkosh secured two first-place votes in the conference predictions and is expected to finish second in the nine-team league derby.   Last year, the Titans started the season 5-4-2 and ended with seven victories in their next 10 matches to earn the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.  UW-Oshkosh has fashioned a 92-39-10 record the past six seasons and placed second or third in the WIAC standings each of those years.   Senior twin sisters Jessica and Maggie Hoffman have played in all 63 matches for UW-Oshkosh the past three seasons.

UW-Stevens Point claimed the remaining first-place vote in the league poll and is pegged to place third in the conference ledger.    The Pointers’ 19 consecutive winning seasons is the fifth-longest streak in NCAA Division III.  UW-Stevens Point has won 11 of the conference’s 15 titles and is 100-6-8 all-time in WIAC contests with a 103-23-11 record in its last 137 matches.  Head coach Sheila Miech ranks fifth among active Division III head coaches with 285 career wins and has compiled a 285-94-26 mark in 20 seasons with the program.

UW-River Falls has won 10 or more matches in each of head coach Sean McKuras’ five seasons, including the WIAC title in 2003.  Sophomore goalie Emily Stieler had seven shutouts last year and is tied for third on the school’s all-time shutout list.  The Falcons will need to replace 84 percent of the scoring from last year’s team.

UW-La Crosse has won at least nine matches in each of the last four seasons.  A total of 17 players recorded at least one point last year and 11 return in 2007.  Junior Amanda Clark played every minute in goal last season and compiled a 1.30 goals against average.

UW-Whitewater compiled 10 or more wins in five of the past eight years.  The Warhawks endured a roller coaster season in 2006, starting 1-6 then going 5-1-1 and finishing 0-4.  Junior Mary Donohoo earned All-WIAC honors in her first year of collegiate soccer.

UW-Stout tallied 10 or more victories and at least four WIAC wins in four of the past six seasons.  In 2006, three of the Blue Devils’ losses were by one goal.  Senior Michelle Lizotte ranks fifth on the school’s all-time list with 67 career points.

Enzo Fuschino begins his first season as head coach at UW-Platteville after spending the last six years as head coach of the boy’s program at Madison LaFollette High School.  The Pioneers set a school record with 12 victories during the 2006 campaign and snapped a combined 0-35 record against UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point, tying both schools.

UW-Superior has registered back-to-back 10-victory seasons and compiled a 26-1-5 record against non-conference opponents the last three years.

2007 Preseason Predictions (Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors)
                                              2006 Record
1. UW-Eau Claire (6)          23-3-0, 8-0-0
2. UW-Oshkosh (2)            12-7-2, 6-2-0
3. UW-Stevens Point (1)   12-4-2, 5-2-1
4. UW-River Falls               10-7-2, 5-3-0
5. UW-La Crosse                9-5-3, 3-3-2
6. UW-Whitewater             6-11-1, 3-4-1
7. UW-Stout                        5-11-0, 2-6-0
8. UW-Platteville                12-7-2, 1-5-2
9. UW-Superior                  10-9-0, 0-8-0

( )--First-place votes

Team Vitals
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach:  Sean Yengo, 11th season, 134-61-15
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  15/10
Starters Returning/Lost:  8/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Liz Kooistra, Jr., M (2005-First, 2006-First); Allison Smith, Jr., D (2005-First, 2006-First); Allie Rivard, Jr., GK (2006-First); Amy Smith, Jr., F (2006-First)

UW-La Crosse
Head Coach:  Sara Burton, 14th season, 120-91-17
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  13/7
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/4
Returning All-WIAC:  None

UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach:  Erin (Leinweber) Coppernoll, 6th season (4th at UW-Oshkosh), 64-62-9 (overall) / 40-17-6 (UW-O)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  10/10
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/4
Returning All-WIAC:  Dana Gudel, Sr., D (2006-First); Amanda Matzke, Jr., M (2005-First)

UW-Platteville
Head Coach:  Enzo Fuschino, 1st season
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/13
Starters Returning/Lost:  6/5
Returning All-WIAC:  Laurie Trifone, Sr., GK (2005-First)

UW-River Falls
Head Coach:  Sean McKuras, 6th season, 64-25-8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  18/5
Starters Returning/Lost:  8/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Julie Sperstad, Sr., M (2006-First)

UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach:  Sheila Miech, 21st season, 285-94-26
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  12/6
Starters Returning/Lost:  8/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Amanda Prawat, Jr., F (2005-First, 2006-First); Meredith DeCaluwe, Sr., GK (2006-First); Liz Kidd, Sr., M (2006-First); Megan Schmidt, Sr., D (2006-First); Kaylee Weise, Jr., F (2006-First); Kimie Wiepz, Sr., M (2005-First)

UW-Stout
Head Coach:  Meagan Frank, 2nd season, 5-11
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  15/11
Starters Returning/Lost:  5/6
Returning All-WIAC:  Michelle Lizotte, Sr., F (2005-First)

UW-Superior
Head Coach:  Chris Perez, 9th season (7th at UW-Superior), 47-91-11 (overall) / 33-70-7 (UW-S)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  10/6
Starters Returning/Lost:  5/6
Returning All-WIAC:  None

UW-Whitewater
Head Coach:  Greg Henschel, 8th season, 68-53-8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  24/3
Starters Returning/Lost:  9/2
Returning All-WIAC:  Mary Donohoo, Jr., M (2006-First)